It’s often said that children from poor families have to grow up early. Jiang Er is an orphan, and for him, it’s not about growing up early or late, but whether he can grow up at all. If he couldn’t, he would have followed his parents long ago.
Jiang Er hadn’t even tasted meat yet, but because of a promise from Yuan Bao, his attitude changed completely.
He followed Yuan Shoucheng and Yuan Bao straight to the Yuan Family’s house.
Using millet to catch birds was an idea Yuan Bao could propose, but Yuan Shoucheng dared not mention.
If he dared to suggest such an unrealistic idea, he would certainly have been scolded.
When Yuan Bao said she wanted to use millet and a bamboo basket to catch birds, not only was she not chastised by the family, but even Old Yuan voluntarily asked if they needed help.
Of course, Yuan Bao didn’t need help.
This was her tactic to win over the young ones from Beishan Village. If the grown-ups got involved, how could she gather all the village kids together?
"Shoucheng, take good care of Jiaojiao, got it?"
When Yuan Shoucheng was helping Yuan Bao carry the basket and rope out the door, he was once again reminded by Old Yuan.
"Grandpa, don’t worry!"
Yuan Shoucheng agreed enthusiastically.
They were just going to catch birds, not fight, so he wasn’t worried about anything happening to his little cousin.
Besides, his little cousin was as clever as a fox; what did she need his care for?
Yuan Bao had no idea her seemingly reckless second cousin had such cunning ideas; she was eagerly anticipating the bonus her good luck could bring.
Back when my uncle went fishing by the river, the fish practically jumped out from the ice holes.
Now, she would personally handle this bird-catching endeavor!
Under Yuan Bao’s direction, the cousins quickly cleared a patch of land.
Millet was scattered over the ground, with a branch forming a tripod to prop up a bamboo basket. The rope was tied to the branch. With a gentle pull, the branch would fall, and the bamboo basket would drop to the ground, trapping the sparrows that had ventured inside to eat millet, turning them into caged birds.
Once everything was prepared, everyone retreated to the corner, far from the scene.
"Shh, everyone be quiet!"
"A good hunter must be patient!"
Faced with the inquiries from the younger cousins, Yuan Shoucheng acted responsible and calm, without Yuan Bao needing to utter a word.
And Jiang Er, though not asking any questions, was standing by with a tense expression of anticipation that showed his inner turmoil.
After all, if they caught a sparrow, there would be meat to eat.
Yuan Bao and the others waited for the sparrows to show up, and the other village kids were watching from afar, clearly observing the situation.
Time slowly passed as the sun climbed higher, and at some point, the snow had completely stopped.
Several sparrows had appeared on the cleared ground.
"They’re here, they’re here!"
When sparrows began to appear near the bamboo basket, pecking at the millet, everyone held their breath, their bodies trembling with excitement.
Soon, it would be the moment to witness the miracle! The rightful source is nοvelfire.net
Gradually, more and more sparrows flew in from the woods, landed on the ground, and pecked at the millet.
"There they are, there they are!"
As the first sparrow appeared under the bamboo basket, Jiang Er, who had been silent until now, jumped up excitedly.
Faced with the excited Jiang Er, Yuan Shoucheng glared at him, "If you scare the birds away, I’ll clobber you!"