Chapter 102: The Rabbit Was Taken In by Someone Else

The brand-new little bag hung on the clothesline, while Bai Yan sat on a small stool, head bowed, diligently picking at her porridge with lumps... This was already her third bowl.

Jiang’s father and Mrs. Zhao had finished eating, but because Bai Yan was at home, the family’s little gray dog kept barking loudly, causing quite a commotion.

Mrs. Zhao stormed toward the little gray dog, scolding, “Why are you biting your own family?”

The little gray dog whimpered in grievance, sprawling all four legs as it lay down in its doghouse.

Jiang’s father, meanwhile, set aside his woodworking tools and took out a thick piece of material resembling leather from the small storeroom.

Upon seeing the fabric, Mrs. Zhao sighed heavily. “Your father, maybe we should look for another carpentry shop? You know what the owner of Hengfeng’s place means—he wants to sell the dilapidated fabric shop together with the woodworking shop as a package. But this fabric shop... what kind of material is this? Waterproof, sure, but what’s the use? It’s not suitable for clothes, and it’s so ugly!”

Because of the gold-bearing quartz, the couple was preparing to find a new shop—this was what they were discussing.

“San Niang, you go grind the tofu first, I’ll think some more,” Jiang’s father said with a smile, then picked up scissors and began cutting the cloth.

The fabric had been coated several times, appearing a deep gray, with a texture somewhat like leather. The owner of Hengfeng’s shop had originally thought this fabric store would be very profitable, but in the end, he was close to losing even the price of a pair of trousers. Reluctantly, he decided to sell the fabric store along with the woodworking shop, though the price was not cheap.

Jiang’s father glanced up at the small cloth bag fluttering in the breeze and suddenly had an idea, promptly focusing on his work.

Bai Yan’s paws had already been treated with medicinal herbs by Mrs. Zhao, now wrapped up like two little rice dumplings. With nothing to do, she lay on the kang bed, basking in the sunlight.

“Girl, come take a look,” Jiang’s father called suddenly from the yard.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yan immediately scampered out.

Jiang’s father stood up, carefully wiped his hands—covered in fabric scraps—with a cloth, then pointed at a small bag on the table. “Pick it up and take a look.”

When Bai Yan saw the “little leather bag” on the table, her eyes widened.

The bag was entirely deep gray, thinly layered, but what made it unique were its two large ears at the top. Because the fabric was stiff, the ears stood upright, and next to the bag’s clasp was a small design resembling a rabbit’s nose.

“This fabric is very sturdy and waterproof. You can bring it when you go up the mountain,” Jiang’s father said in his honest voice. “Though the color is a bit dull. I’m afraid you might not like it.”

The fabric shop had gone under because its colors were too monotonous and the material too stiff, making it impossible to use for clothing.

“I like it, I like it!” Bai Yan was thrilled. This little bag was so special.

Mrs. Zhao happened to come out after finishing grinding tofu and saw the scene. She exchanged a glance with Jiang’s father, and just one look told them everything.

They had decided to buy the two shops. Even if it cost more, so be it! Though the fabric shop had closed, it would surely be revived.

...

After Jiang Chengyan came down from the mountain, knowing Bai Yan had gone to Mrs. Zhao’s place, he prepared to tidy up her clothes to send over, so she wouldn’t have nothing to wear.

But from afar, he saw Bai Yan hopping at the door like a little rabbit, carrying a dark brown little bag and chattering away.

And the clothes she wore... were clearly not worse than the ones he held.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, headache brewing.

...

Late at night,

Bai Yan lay on the kang, covered with a cozy little quilt, sound asleep. Her two paws, wrapped in medicinal herbs, rested limp at her sides as she slept sweetly.

“My dear, it’s time to harvest the mushrooms in the house,” a faint voice whispered in Bai Yan’s ear. The person’s fingers pinched her nose, cutting off her breath.

The door was locked tight at night—how had this person gotten in?

Startled awake, Bai Yan instinctively bit at Jiang Chengyan’s hand...

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