https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-4-Older-Brother-Will-Take-You-Down-the-Mountain/12606593/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-The-God-of-Slaughter-Tells-a-Story/12606595/
Chapter 5: The Benefits of Having an Older Brother
Chapter 5: The Benefits of Having an Older Brother
Although Feng Xuanrui boasted about his plan to use a tree branch as a walking stick to descend the mountain, he soon realized that it was easier said than done.
At least, it was difficult for a young master like him, who had never experienced any hardships.
He struggled to find the right balance, and while he managed to take a few steps at first, he started tripping and falling as he continued.
Sui Sui accompanied him, her face paling in worry as she watched Feng Xuanrui stumble for the third time. "...Brother, maybe I should help support you?" she suggested.
At her offer, Feng Xuanrui scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. You're not even half my height. How could you support me? I can't even reach you."
Hearing this, Sui Sui deliberately stood next to Feng Xuanrui to compare their heights.
Feng Xuanrui was roughly one and a half times taller than Sui Sui.
Sui Sui's slender frame stood in stark contrast to his robust build, making the difference in their heights even more noticeable.
Looking up at her brother's proud expression, Sui Sui nodded obediently. "Yes, brother. You're so tall."
The little girl's obedient demeanor tugged at Feng Xuanrui's heartstrings, and he gently tapped her head. "You little fool. You don't even realize when someone is tricking you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he froze, realizing that he was doing the same thing—tricking the little fool to come home with him and be his sister.
This realization made Feng Xuanrui feel a bit guilty.
However, his guilt quickly turned into determination. Sui Sui's uncle had abandoned her, and with her parents gone, if he didn't take her in, she would truly become a little beggar.
Feng Xuanrui spent a long time getting used to walking with the tree branch, and he could barely manage to walk with it.
The two of them walked and stopped repeatedly for a long time before finally spotting the path down the mountain.
Feng Xuanrui cleverly used Sui Sui's words to find out the general direction of her home, and then intentionally changed their course to avoid that area.
Even if it meant taking a detour, they had to stay away from that village.
Sui Sui's uncle and his family were so heartless, clearly intending for Sui Sui to die in the back mountain. Returning there would be like walking into a trap.
So, they chose a different path.
After all, Feng Xuanrui didn't recognize any of these places, and his useless servants probably had no idea where to find him either.
They could only make do for now and look for a dilapidated thatched cottage or an abandoned temple nearby.
The name of Sui Sui's village was Hongye Village, a very remote village under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou Prefecture.
In this area, not only were there no abandoned temples, but there weren't even any new ones to be seen.
The two of them wandered for most of the day, and by the time the sky began to darken, they finally arrived at an unfamiliar village.
Sui Sui's previous life had been confined to Hongye Village.
She knew nothing about the outside world.
Feng Xuanrui didn't bother to ask, knowing from Sui Sui's nervous expression that this wasn't the village she had lived in before.
With that confirmation, Feng Xuanrui felt relieved.
Perhaps their bad luck had finally run out, as the two of them discovered a dilapidated thatched cottage at the edge of the village.
The house was surrounded by overgrown grass and weeds, but since it was spring, the vegetation wasn't too thick.
Feng Xuanrui observed the place for a while and, satisfied that no one was around, led Sui Sui inside.
Although the cottage was mostly fallen apart, they could still squeeze into a small corner that provided some shelter for the night.
Feng Xuanrui thought that if his servants didn't find him by tomorrow morning, he would send them to the southwest quarries as punishment when he returned to the capital!
After their long journey, Feng Xuanrui didn't mind sitting down on the dirty ground.
Sui Sui was tired, hungry, and still had her injuries.
However, the spring night brought a chill, and without a fire, they would have a difficult time staying warm.
So, Sui Sui gathered tree branches, old wood, and grass nearby.
After searching for a while, she faced a new problem.
Lighting a fire.
"System, it looks like it's finally time for you to shine," the system remarked.
[Listen to me, Sui Sui. We're going to start a fire the old-fashioned way. It's simple!]
[I'll teach you!]
As the system finished speaking, Feng Xuanrui pulled out a fire-starting kit from his pocket.
System: ...
Sui Sui silently thanked Lele in her heart and then began to start the fire.
They didn't have much firewood, and Sui Sui wanted to go out and gather more, but Feng Xuanrui stopped her. "No need. I have a thick coat, and I'll share some of my warmth with you."
As he spoke, he took off his inner jacket and tossed it to Sui Sui.
Sui Sui fumbled to catch it, but instead of putting it on right away, she looked up at Feng Xuanrui, her eyes full of concern. "Brother, you're giving it all to me? What about you?"
As she spoke, Sui Sui tried to hand the jacket back to him.
Feng Xuanrui waved his hand, pushing it back toward her. "I told you to wear it, so wear it. I'm strong and robust, and a little night breeze won't affect me!"
Although Sui Sui didn't understand everything he said, she knew that her brother was showing his care for her.
Having an older brother like him was truly wonderful!
In fact, Sui Sui had several cousins who were boys.
However, they either cut her hair or shot her with slingshots.
Her third male cousin even stripped her of her clothes once while their aunt watched from the sidelines, not only failing to stop him but also scolding Sui Sui, saying that she was already so good at seducing men at such a young age. She claimed that Sui Sui would definitely grow up to be promiscuous, bringing shame to the Chen family.
Sui Sui had many male cousins, but she didn't like any of them.
Before, Sui Sui didn't know what a real brother was like.
But now, after meeting Feng Xuanrui, she thought that if she had a brother, she would want him to be like this.
Grrr!
Sui Sui's stomach, which had only been filled by one meal the day before and had gone without food all day, finally couldn't take it anymore, and it growled loudly.
Hearing the sound, Feng Xuanrui glanced at Sui Sui and then began to rummage through his pockets.
After searching for a while, the young master's face began to darken.
Great, he had dropped all the snacks he had brought.
After searching for a long time, all he could find in his pockets were two preserved fruits.
These had been given to him by the medicine boy who assisted the imperial physician when Feng Xuanrui was sick the previous month and didn't want to take his medicine.
Having been stored for so long, he wasn't sure if they had gone bad.
Feng Xuanrui's face was dark as he took out the preserved fruits and handed them to Sui Sui.
Sui Sui didn't recognize this food and looked at her brother questioningly.
Feng Xuanrui lifted his chin slightly. "This is all I have left. Eat it for now, and we'll figure something out tomorrow."
So, it was food!
Sui Sui understood and shook her head. "Brother, you eat it. I'm not hungry."
Grrr!
Her stomach chose that moment to growl again, very uncooperatively.
Feng Xuanrui leaned closer and placed the preserved fruit in her hand. "Alright, eat it quickly and then go to sleep."
Feng Xuanrui was also a little hungry. This young master, born with a golden spoon in his mouth, had never experienced such hardship before.
If it were any other time, he would have definitely cried and demanded to be taken home.
But not now, not when his little sister was depending on him.
He had to hold back his tears!
But he just couldn't do it!
The tears flowed uncontrollably.
Feng Xuanrui turned his head sharply away and quickly wiped his tears.
Sui Sui sneaked a glance at her awkward brother and carefully took one of the preserved fruits, gently placing it in her mouth.
It tasted so good!
Sui Sui had never tasted candy before and didn't know what sweetness was.
But the sweet flavor was so comforting.
Even just a taste was incredibly satisfying.
Sui Sui's beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened, looking round and adorable.
The system, observing this scene from the consciousness space, felt its heart melt.
Boo hoo!
The cubs were so adorable!
[Sui Sui, it's story time before bed. Are you ready to welcome your auntie or uncle who will be telling you a story?]
I like my brother.
—Sui Sui's Journal
(End of Chapter)
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