CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155: UNCLE SAN IS COMING

Just then, Zhao Cheng walked over. "Little Sister, what’s wrong?"

Hearing her big brother arrive, Zhao Zhitong instantly grabbed Zhao Cheng, pointing at Zhao Yue and Qiao Muchen as she complained, "Big Brother, they’re bullying me!"

After hearing the whole story, Zhao Cheng chuckled and patted his chest. "Oh, so it’s about that! Don’t worry, Little Sister. When it comes to the leaf stem game, I’m the best in all of Zhao Village. Hardly any kids in Zhao Village are a match for me. Big Brother will avenge you!"

But Zhao Zhitong wanted to beat them herself. Hearing how skilled her big brother was, her eyes sparkled. "Big Brother, teach me! Please teach me!"

Zhao Yue cheekily remarked from the side, "Yeah, keep bragging. ’Hardly any kids are a match for you’? You can’t even beat me!"

Qiao Muchen also chimed in, amused, "Big Brother Zhao Cheng, you said you’re the best in Zhao Village, but this is Xiaoyi Village."

Zhao Zhitong huffed at the two of them. "My big brother isn’t a braggart like you two! He’s the best in Xiaoyi Village too!" Then she looked at Zhao Cheng with sparkling, admiring eyes.

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment, then nodded. He leaned close to Zhao Zhitong’s ear and whispered tips for the leaf stem game, "Little Sister, the leaf stem you pick should ideally be a bit wilted..."

"OH~"

Zhao Zhitong’s big, round eyes widened as she nodded. So that’s it, it needs to be a bit wilted! No wonder I always lose. I thought the newer and firmer the leaf, the stronger it would be!

Zhao Cheng continued, "And then, Little Sister, when you grip it, your hands should be closer together..."

Zhao Cheng went on and on, explaining a lot of things. Zhao Zhitong nodded her little head, saying "oh" one moment and "ah" the next.

Qiao Muchen propped his chin in his hand, watching Zhao Zhitong listlessly. "Zhao Zhuangzhuang, are you ready yet? I’m about to fall asleep waiting."

"Ready, I’m ready!" Zhao Zhitong’s eyes sparkled. Full of confidence, she ran off to find a fallen leaf.

A moment later, she ran back with a leaf. "Alright! Bring it on, you two! Watch me crush you!"

With her imperious little air, anyone who didn’t know better would think they were about to have a group brawl.

Qiao Muchen immediately stood up, declaring resolutely, "Alright, little one, I’ll go first!"

Zhao Yue wouldn’t yield. "No way! I’m first!"

Qiao Muchen glared at him. "Why should you be first? I spoke up first!"

Zhao Yue huffed smugly. "I’m older than you! I’m the big brother, so you have to listen to the big brother. That’s why I go first!"

Qiao Muchen fumed, "You’re only older than me by a few days! You’re not a big brother!"

Then he pointed at the leaf stem in Zhao Yue’s hand and yelled, "You’re using leaves from my family’s tree, so I should go first! Otherwise, I won’t let you play with my family’s tree leaves!"

Zhao Yue was unyielding and retorted stubbornly, "These are fallen leaves. They belonged to the tree, but once they fall, they don’t belong to anyone. How are they your family’s leaves? Whoever picks them up, owns them!"

The two little guys, both proclaiming themselves to be little men, stood in the courtyard, bickering back and forth.

Zhao Zhitong had been crouching for so long her legs were numb, and they still hadn’t argued their way to a conclusion. So, resting her chin in her hand, she called out impatiently, "Hey! Stop arguing, you two! I’m going to fall asleep too! Are we going to play or not?"

With that, she stood up and pulled the two boys apart. "You two big silly bears! Just play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins goes first."

The two little guys looked at Zhao Zhitong in unison and asked, "What’s rock-paper-scissors?"

So Zhao Zhitong painstakingly explained the rules of rock-paper-scissors to them, and both boys’ eyes lit up.

Qiao Muchen exclaimed, "Wow, this game is even more fun! The loser is a dummy."

Zhao Yue grumbled, "Hmph, I won’t lose!"

Only then did the two of them start to play.

To prevent them from arguing about it, Zhao Zhitong declared it would be a single round to decide the winner.

And so, it ended with Qiao Muchen’s scissors beating Zhao Yue’s paper.

Then, the leaf stem game with Zhao Zhitong began. Qiao Muchen earnestly flexed his arm and, thinking he looked incredibly fierce, strutted towards Zhao Zhitong.

Their leaf stems crossed, and then...

Qiao Muchen found himself sitting on the ground, completely dejected.

Zhao Zhitong sat on the ground, laughing her heart out with delight.

After mocking Qiao Muchen, Zhao Yue swaggered over with the air of a champion. "Heh heh, you still have to watch me!"

The leaf stems crossed once again, and then...

Zhao Yue also ended up sitting on the ground, looking utterly incredulous.

Zhao Zhitong, who had been losing constantly since the game began, finally won a round. She was so overjoyed she started spinning in circles. At the same time, she didn’t forget to shower her big brother with extravagant praise, "My big brother is the greatest! He’s not just the best in Zhao Village, but the best in the entire county town! See if you dare bully me again! Hmph!"

Even Zhao Cheng felt embarrassed by such over-the-top praise.

Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue protested, unconvinced. "She only won one round! What’s there to be so smug about?"

And so, the three little ones played for a while longer before Zhao Zhitong and Zhao Yue picked up their luggage box and bade Qiao Muchen farewell to head home.

Once they were out of the Qiao Clan’s main gate, Zhao Yue was still muttering about how he hadn’t performed well today and that they should continue another day.

Zhao Zhitong, skipping joyfully, replied smugly, "Zhao Yue, you can’t beat me! My big brother taught me lots of tricks. I’m really good now!"

Zhao Yue retorted, "Hmph, don’t get too cocky. You just got lucky today and found a tougher leaf stem. Just wait, I’ll go home and gather a bunch of good ones. I’ll definitely beat you tomorrow!"

Zhao Zhitong shook her head with a knowing air. "Are you silly? Our family is having a housewarming feast tomorrow! I’m not playing with you; I’m going to the big banquet!"

Zhao Yue paused, then remembered. He gulped, his mouth watering at the thought of eating Zhao Zhitong’s mother’s cooking again. He beamed, "I’ll definitely be the first one there tomorrow!" Then, remembering something, he added, "But Wei Shulan won’t be able to make it, huh."

Zhao Zhitong nodded. "Mhm, Lanlan’s stuck with her cousin, so she probably can’t come tomorrow. Her cousin is so annoying! Hmph."

Chatting and laughing, they soon reached the village. Zhao Yue’s home was not far from the village well. After saying goodbye to Zhao Zhitong, he quickly ran home.

Zhao Zhitong held Zhao Cheng’s hand and ambled slowly towards home. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a fleeting figure that looked like Zhao Cai. She couldn’t help but stop and look towards that corner of the wall.

However, after watching for a long time, she didn’t see Zhao Cai again. Zhao Zhitong didn’t dwell on it and continued home.

When she got home, she discovered that their room had many new pieces of furniture. Moreover, her study now had a desk and chairs, and on the desk was a pen rack.

Zhao Dong had also specially made three more chairs to match the desk, so Zhao Zhitong’s friends would have a place to sit when they came over to read books.

Zhao Zhitong was ecstatic. She sat at her new desk and was so reluctant to leave it that she was still there when it was time for dinner.