Chapter 23: She had truly been cursed by the birds!

Mu You looked down. The wound on the belly of the golden pheasant had indeed vanished! It was as if by magic. Mu You rubbed her eyes and examined it several times, still finding it hard to believe.

"Chirp, chirp."
[Little girl, you are definitely no ordinary person!]

Being able to understand animal language and heal their wounds... The golden pheasant felt that the little milk-bun before it must be a fairy who had fallen from the heavens. There was a sense of familiarity about her that it couldn't quite put into words.

"Hee hee, Daddy also said that Youbao is not an ordinary child; I am the smartest and bravest child!"

Praised once more, Mu You was no longer shy, smiling brightly and generously.

"Chirp, chirp."
[In any case, you saved me, and I will forever remember your great kindness!]
[These are the most beautiful feathers on my body; take them as a gift. You must keep them safe so they aren't snatched away.]

The golden pheasant plucked a brightly colored, elegantly shaped feather from its body. Then, it took a few more from its tail and presented them all to Mu You.

"Thank you, pretty little bird~"

After expressing her gratitude, Mu You placed the feathers into her small basket. "Youbao will protect them well!"

The golden pheasant nodded, then attempted to spread its wings and take flight.

"Chirp, chirp."
[I must be going now. Bye-bye, little fairy!]

*Little fairy?*

Having heard such a title for the first time, Mu You found it quite novel. It also felt inexplicably familiar!

"Bye-bye! Pretty little bird!"

Mu You bid farewell to the golden pheasant and continued on her way. She did not notice a pair of eyes staring intently from behind.

"What the hell..." the man muttered, his voice filled with shock.

Just then, the rough voice of his boss crackled through his Bluetooth earpiece. "Where is it? Did you bring it back?"

The man looked at the now-empty clearing, swallowed hard, and replied with great difficulty, "Bo-boss, the pheasant... it ran, it ran away..."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a sharp, ear-piercing screech.

"Ran away? You’re telling me a bird shot in the gut, a bird that should have been dead for sure, ran away right under your nose?!"
"Come here right now! Let me shoot you, and you can try running away under my nose and see if you can make it!"

The man shrank his neck, wanting to retort but fearing the other man’s temper even more. After all, the scene he had just witnessed was something that, if he told ten people, eleven wouldn't believe him! Including himself. It was simply too shocking, too eerie.

The man looked up at the bright, sunny sky. He thought to himself that if it weren't broad daylight, he would truly have thought he had seen a ghost.

"It’s not like that, Boss. I’m really not lying to you. Sigh, this—it’s hard to explain!"

As he spoke, the man scanned his surroundings. Sensing someone approaching, he immediately ducked out of sight.

"Boss, someone is coming. I’m pulling out!"
"Get your ass back here immediately!"

Not long after the man left, a brightly dressed little girl appeared. She looked around and continued forward, finally stopping behind a large tree four or five meters away from Mu You to hide.

It was Mu Weien. She had originally intended to turn back to continue hunting the golden pheasant, but after walking for a long time, she hadn't found a trace. Finally, she had spotted footprints on this path, along with one or two tiny feathers.

Mu Weien hid behind the tree, carefully observing her surroundings. This time, she had learned her lesson and didn't rush out to make a scene. But after waiting for a long time, she still saw no sign of any animals!

Mu Weien clenched her fists, her gaze turning toward Mu You with hostility. Suddenly, she noticed something in Mu You's basket—the golden pheasant's feathers!

She then scrutinized Mu You carefully and, finally, cursed in a low, angry voice.

"Detestable Mu You, why do you get to pluck the pheasant’s feathers while I can’t?"
"Abominable pheasant, why didn't you peck her with your beak when she pulled your feathers? She doesn't have a single scratch. Why didn't you let me do it?!"

Mu Weien extended her arm, which bore a small red mark—the result of the golden pheasant’s beak. It hurt like crazy!

"Hmph, just you wait, Mu You. I will use things even more beautiful and precious to trample you under my feet!"

...

*Beep, beep, beep.*

The timer on their wrists went off. The children emerged from the forest and gathered at the meeting point.

"Alright, everyone can now go to your individual rooms and use the natural materials you've collected to create your outfits," Wu Liang said, then gave a glance to his assistant.

After everyone had entered their individual rooms, the assistant walked into Mu Weien's room.

"Who are you? Who told you to come in!"

Mu Weien, who was just preparing to show off her skills, was startled, her little heart pounding.

"Shh, Miss Weien, I was sent by Madam to help you."

The assistant took out a phone and played a recording of Li Jiaojiao to prove her identity. Upon hearing her mother's voice and confirming she was okay, Mu Weien didn't feel happy; instead, she felt a hint of annoyance.

"Mom is so annoying. She should just rest; why does she have to meddle?"

Mu Weien believed that by relying on her own hands and her own intelligence, she could perfectly well secure first place!

"Madam is only doing this for your own good."

The assistant, unable to think of another excuse, could only use this universal line. With that, she quickly produced a gown that had already been made.

"Miss Weien, don't be so angry. Look at this dress. It will definitely win first place, and no one will question its authenticity!"

Mu Weien's anger vanished the moment she saw the dress. It was a princess gown woven from various beautiful feathers, with a long, trailing tassel made of yellow feathers at the back.

Putting it on, she would look just like a "phoenix" transformed into a princess! It was too beautiful!

Mu Weien had already begun to imagine herself wearing the gown and stunning the entire internet! Forget the golden pheasant or any peacock; she was the "true phoenix"!

"Miss Weien, hurry and put it on. I promise to take some beautiful photos of you!"

The assistant didn't care about the rules of the game at all and began snapping away with her camera. After all, rules were made by people, and they only constrained those willing to follow them.

"Okay!"

Time was up. With a shout from Wu Liang, everyone emerged from their rooms.

"Wow, Youbao, your hands are so clever! Your outfit looks so good!"
"Yiyi, your dress is also very pretty~"

As everyone was laughing and chatting, Mu Weien gave two coughs and pushed her way into the center of the group with a high-profile gait, lifting her chin in anticipation of praise.

When Mu You saw what she was wearing, she frowned and was about to say something.

"Chirp, chirp!"

Suddenly, a flock of birds flew down from the sky and circled above Mu Weien's head.

[It's her, it's her! Charge!]

In an instant, all the birds dove toward her.

"Everyone, stay away from Mu Weien! She’s being punished by the birds!"
"Run!"