Chapter 91: Still Making a Scene?

Although Zhao had never liked Jiang Chengyan, she still trusted what he said.

"Weren't you aware of anything at all back then?" Zhao reached out, as if to twist Jiang's ear.

Jiang shook his head. "When I was picking mushrooms, I left the basket up there. I figured no one would come steal it." He honestly explained what had happened.

As soon as she heard this, Zhao was instantly deflated. "Then it must have been taken while you weren't looking. Come to think of it, the second son said his stomach hurt and went home early. I think he's highly suspicious."

Just as Zhao was saying this, Bai Yan easily lifted the huge stone with both arms. Jiang, standing nearby, saw it and hurriedly moved to shield her, fearing she might get hurt.

Bai Yan flashed a grin, her little white teeth like glutinous rice, at Jiang, then puffed out her cheeks and blew hard at the stone.

Jiang Chengyan happened to be standing right in front of her, and with that breath, a cloud of dust flew straight into his face.

His expression darkened like the bottom of a pot.

"Huh? Why won't this dust blow off?" Bai Yan asked curiously, and then puffed her cheeks to blow again.

Jiang Chengyan reached out and pinched her cheeks. "Behave. Come home for dinner."

Bai Yan refused. Her eyes were fixed entirely on the stone, darting back to it again and again.

"I'll make you noodles with mountain delicacies and mushrooms." Jiang Chengyan brought out his trump card. As he spoke of making noodles, he bent down and whispered near the little girl's ear, "And I'll give you a silver ingot too, all right?"

Speaking into her ear made it itch.

After thinking it over, Bai Yan could only reluctantly set down the dusty stone.

"Father, Mother, I'm leaving," she said, pouting a little. Lowering her head, she tugged at Jiang Chengyan's clothes and went out the door.

"Girl, come eat dumplings tonight," Zhao said anxiously. "I'll make you shepherd's purse filling."

At once, Bai Yan nodded vigorously.

...

After Bai Yan left, Jiang scratched his head and tossed the stone aside. "That child seems to really like this rock. One day when I go to the market, I'll buy a chisel and see if I can make her a little trinket."

"Nine times out of ten, this was done by the second son. Looks like he's going to strike it rich this time," Zhao sighed.

"At any rate, it's not ours. Let's just pretend it never happened." Jiang laughed in his simple, honest way and said nothing more.

...

That night, Bai Yan ate until she was full and even smuggled home a small plate of dumplings.

On the way home, lying on Jiang Chengyan's back, she said softly, "I think that big stone smells really good."

"Darling, when are you going to make me the golden rabbit you promised?"

"The one as big as a giant sweet potato."

Jiang Chengyan ignored her. Seeing that he would not answer, Bai Yan began making a fuss on his back.

At first, Jiang Chengyan had been supporting her with both hands, but after her kicking and wriggling, he curved one long arm and pulled her from his back to his front, holding her in one arm while the other covered her mouth.

Bai Yan could only go, "Mmm-mmm-mmm," unable to speak, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Chengyan.

"I heard a rabbit meat shop opened in the county town recently. Their spicy rabbit brains are very famous," the man murmured to himself.

The person in his arms immediately went still, and Jiang Chengyan felt her mouth rub against his palm.

"Still going to make trouble?" he asked.

The rabbit shook her head.

"Good."