Wang Yongping had acknowledged a godfather and godmother, thus gaining two godbrothers who now pulled him into the courtyard to catch up on life.
Liu Dasheng was older than him and naturally assumed the role of the elder brother, while Liu Daming was younger and therefore became his younger brother.
As the three brothers chatted warmly and affectionately, Liu Dasheng pounded his chest, promising to take Wang Yongping deeper into the mountains to broaden his horizons, which delighted Wang Yongping to keep calling him "big brother" without end.
In the midst of the lively conversation, the yard gate opened and Liu Xiaoqiao walked in. Wang Yongping still remembered how he had once clung to her legs and wouldn’t let go, his heart stirring with emotion, and the words "Sister Xiao Qiao" just slipped out.
Wanting to show his enthusiasm and gratitude, Wang Yongping didn’t think twice. Seeing Liu Xiaoqiao with a bow and arrow on her back and holding game in her hand, he took the initiative to go up and take it from her.
Liu Xiaoqiao, who had just entered the house and heard someone calling her "Sister Xiao Qiao" without understanding why, now saw this fool actually coming forward to touch her game?
Didn’t he know that hunters from the mountains strictly forbid this?
So, with a swift sidestep, she dodged and kicked out—
With a "boom," Wang Yongping was sent rolling to the corner of the courtyard.
"Sister, stop—" Seeing the bad turn of events, Liu Dasheng covered his eyes as he tried to intervene.
The commotion naturally didn’t escape the notice of those inside the house. Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin came out to see, and there was nothing they didn’t understand.
After exchanging a knowing glance, Wang Yongzhu just smiled, pretending not to see his brother in such a sorry state, and warmly greeted her, "Sister Xiao Qiao, you’re back? Do you still remember me?"
Liu Xiaoqiao looked closely and recognized the girl from the Wang Family from outside the mountain. What was there not to understand? Her face immediately showed a touch of embarrassment.
The Liu brothers rushed to pull Wang Yongping up, dusting him off and asking, "Second brother, are you hurt anywhere?"
They also hurried to apologize on behalf of their sister, "Brother, don’t take it to heart. Our sister didn’t mean it, it’s just her instinct..."
Wang Yongping, still shaken, patted his chest. Truly, each household had a fierce sister! This Liu sister was already considered gentle. If his own sister had kicked like that, would he still be alive?
Without a point of reference, there is no harm done. The Liu sister’s strength seemed trivial, so he didn’t take it to heart.
He even sincerely reassured, "It’s nothing, it doesn’t hurt at all. I hope Sister Xiao Qiao’s foot is okay! I’ve got thick skin and can take a beating—"
Liu Xiaoqiao’s face was all red, whether from anger or shame, it wasn’t clear.
She was hurriedly led by Wang Yongzhu into the house, arm in arm and in high spirits, "Sister Xiao Qiao, did you catch this game yourself? That’s amazing—"
Liu Xiaoqiao carefully kept the game a bit farther away, fearing it might dirty Wang Yongzhu’s clothes, and nonchalantly said, "Yeah, we mountain folks rely on this skill for our livelihood. It’s nothing special."
Though her words were humble, her expression softened considerably when she looked at Wang Yongzhu.
Mother Liu came out of the house and, although accustomed to seeing her daughter in hunting attire, now that she stood next to the Wang Family girl—so refined, dressed in a skirt, compared to her own daughter with a bow on her shoulder, a hunting knife at her waist, and game dripping blood in her hand—she resembled a fierce female Yaksha!
Mother Liu felt slightly disconcerted and said, "Xiao Qiao, you’re back. Put that down and change your clothes to have a chat with Sister Wang."
Liu Xiaoqiao silently placed the game down, went inside to put her bow away, came back in the same clothes, and began to clean the game in the yard.
Mother Liu felt a bit embarrassed, "Oh dear, my girl has always been stubborn since she was little, like a wild lad ..."
Old Granny Zhang, seeing her own girl regain her tremendous strength, had realized the advantages of a tough woman. She rather liked the way Liu Xiaoqiao was, a girl who hunted, ventured into the mountains, and secured mountain products, stronger than most men. This was the mark of a good girl!