Chapter 3: He’s Going to Raise Rabbits

The rabbit was somewhat intimidated; the man’s presence was overwhelming, and she immediately lost the courage to speak, only gazing pitifully at Jiang Chengyan.

“Now that you’ve become human, you can’t be a rabbit any longer,” the man said in a calm, even voice.

The rabbit wriggled her nose, letting out a quiet whimper. “I know.”

“In the human world, money is essential. You don’t have a penny to your name, not even enough to buy food. If you go on like this, you’ll starve to death.”

The rabbit shivered.

“You have no background, no family. You might even be sold into a brothel.”

The rabbit tilted her head, her voice soft and innocent. “What’s a brothel?”

Jiang Chengyan smiled. “It’s a filthy, muddy pit where you’d have to roll around all day.”

At this, the rabbit immediately frowned. “I don’t want that.”

“So, there’s only one way to help you now,” Jiang Chengyan continued.

“What is it?” The rabbit looked at him with curiosity.

“Come with me.” As if making a decision, Jiang Chengyan’s lips curled into a smile as he uttered these three words.

Hearing this, the rabbit, still shaken from his earlier warnings, did not agree immediately.

Jiang Chengyan lowered his gaze, looking at the curious girl before him.

“Will I have a nest if I go with you?”

“Will I go hungry?”

“Will I have clothes to wear?”

Hearing these silly questions, Jiang Chengyan nodded to each in turn.

“Alright, then I’ll go with you.” With that, the rabbit, completely unreserved, patted her belly and said earnestly, “I’m hungry.”

Jiang Chengyan smiled with a hint of mischief. “Shall I roast a rabbit for you to eat?”

The rabbit was speechless.

Inside the cave,

The girl, her hair loose, leaned against Jiang Chengyan’s leg. Jiang Chengyan tore the roasted wild chicken into strips, and she sat beside him, cheeks puffed out, eating. She was wrapped in several layers of his clothing, leaving him in only his undergarments.

“Water,” the girl mumbled.

Jiang Chengyan handed her his canteen, and she drank it down in great gulps.

“You said you have a home. Why aren’t we going back?” The rabbit preferred soft, cozy places and didn’t like the hard stone of the cave.

“When night falls completely, otherwise we’ll draw attention.” Jiang Chengyan sat tall and straight, his hand passing through her long hair, his cool, magnetic voice soothing. “Get some sleep.”

The rabbit frowned, looked around at the hard, unwelcoming stones, and simply curled herself up in Jiang Chengyan’s arms.

He was startled for a moment, then reached out and gently patted her back.

Eat and then sleep—just like a pig.

Night gradually enveloped the cave in darkness, leaving only the flickering firelight to offer warmth.

The girl in his arms was already breathing evenly, clearly fast asleep.

Leaning his back against the rock, Jiang Chengyan lowered his gaze to look at her.

Earlier, when he’d left for those two minutes after meeting her, he hadn’t actually done anything at all—he’d simply taken that time to think.

And his conclusion in those two minutes was: he would raise a pig. No, a rabbit.

A bold and decisive choice, indeed.

After another half hour or so, when the world was shrouded in darkness, Jiang Chengyan finally rose, carrying the girl in his arms step by step down the mountain toward home.

When he built his house, he’d chosen a secluded spot behind the village for privacy. Thus, under the cover of night, he was able to bring her home without anyone noticing.