Chapter 60

Finished!

At this moment, before the screen, countless netizens in the livestream despaired and cried out.

Chirp~

A tender birdcall rang out; before the camera, in the chubby palms of a boy holding them up, a round, plump little fatty bird appeared before all viewers in the livestream.

Its head was round and pure white, like a beautiful snowball; shrinking its neck from fear, a pair of adorable bean‑sized eyes gazed cutely at the screen.

In the frame, the little fatty bird fully revealed its round, plump body curve, like a fluffy, puffed‑up little dough ball; afraid nobody could see clearly, the other little boy holding the phone deliberately moved the camera closer—

The little fatty bird's wings were covered in a lovely chestnut brown, like the reddish‑brown shell of freshly fried sugar‑coated chestnuts, with a pale white ring near the edges; its appearance drew countless livestream viewers to gasp in awe, just like fragrant, sweet sugar‑coated chestnuts, many staring wide‑eyed, wishing they could flop onto the screen and suck it in!

【It's a fatty bird! That super‑cute, chubby little fatty bird!】

【Waa waa waa, what a huge treasure, the cuteness level is off the charts—I don't like it at all, it's so round and plump, chubby; where's the address? Where's the contact? Where's the fatty bird!】

【Upstairs, your abacus beads have bounced all the way to Siberia!】

【It really is a huge treasure, ahhh! I saw a live fatty bird, took a big sniff! Passed out. JPG】

【Little fatty bird, tell sister what kind of sack you like; sister will lug a train overnight to find you!】

Ling Yue also recognized it; this is a typical silver‑throated long‑tailed tit, a specially cute little bird, belonging to the state‑protected 'three‑have' wildlife.

However, this fatty bird's condition is not good. Fatty birds are hard to raise; they are usually wild, fearful of people, and it's rare for one to be held so still in someone's palm.

Ling Yue: 'Little friends, how did you pick it up?'

Xiao Pangzi narrowed his eyes: "I and Zhou Xiaozhao were picking up leaves under the ginkgo tree to play, when suddenly we heard a bang, and the little chubby chirp fell from the sky!"

The viewers fell silent; this wave, this wave is literally chubby chirps dropping from the sky!

Instantly, many people's looks at the two kids shifted—it was the envy of the unlucky toward the lucky.

【Why don't I have such good luck?! I hate it!】

【Turns out this is what a chubby chirp is? At my place, trees in winter grow a whole string of them, all round and plump.】

Compared to Xiao Pangzi, Zhou Xiaozhao is clearly calmer; he looked at the screen and said directly: "We've already given this little fat bird a physical checkup; it's motionless because its little bird leg is injured. Sis streamer, look, we've already bandaged it."

Xiao Pangzi eager to move: "How about I demonstrate?"

"Xue Xiaotao! The little fat bird isn't healed yet—look how thin its leg is; if it gets hurt again, I'll break your leg and keep you company with the little chubby chirp!"

Xiao Pangzi Xue Xiaotao instantly became honest.

The stream's viewers were all amused by the kids' childish talk; seeing Xiao Pangzi so honest, they couldn't help but comment.

【Hahaha I was wrong, I spoke wrong earlier—this isn't some troublesome kid, it's clearly a little lively treasure!】

【What a great kid, I'll send you a banner to thank you for rescuing the little chubby chirp!】

【I'll send you ten math worksheets, kid—aren't you happy?】

【Holy crap, upstairs, repaying kindness with hatred!】

Various comments poured in; the two kids have already started elementary school this year, know quite a few characters, can read the comments, and naturally understand what these words mean.

Xue Xiaotao startled, swallowed hard with difficulty, his puffed chest deflated, and he said: "Thank you, brothers and sisters, the little fat bird is so adorable; we will definitely help it!"

"So……" he stammered, fidgeting with his fingers: "Please don't send us worksheets, I beg you QAQ"

【Hahahahaha!】

【O(∩_∩)O This kid's mouth is so sweet; tell big brother your school delivery address, big brother guarantees not to send math test papers.】

【Send English?】

【Stealing bamboo shoots, eh? The giant pandas on the mountain are about to starve to death because of you!】

Because he was speaking, the little chubby chirp in his hand almost fell, but Zhou Xiaozhao steadied it with one hand: "Xue Xiaotao, what are you getting proud about? Be careful not to hurt the little chubby chirp!"

As his words fell, he aimed the phone camera straight at the little chubby chirp; the startled little chubby chirp flapped its wings a bit, revealing the white bandage on its thin leg, a flash of metal on the other leg, and a pretty bow: "chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp~".

"What is this?"

It lowered its head, its beak pecked at the phone screen twice, making two bangs.

The viewers in the stream facing the high-cuteness onslaught—

【Owooo the sister's heart is about to melt!】

【How can there be such an adorable little chubby chirp, oh my goodness, I love it so much!】

【I, a big guy, can't take it anymore! I want to rua it, rua it hard!】

Ling Yue couldn't help but laugh along; she herself couldn't stay immune, her heart was melted by this super cute chubby chirp, especially she could hear the little chubby chirp's soft baby voice more than others.

Ling Yue's eyes glued to the little chubby chirp: "Yeah, I really like it too—it's like sweet milky dumplings, no, wait, it should be sweet sugary fried chestnuts!"

The little chubby chirp seemed to hear someone praising it, chirped twice, proudly shook its wings, but mindful of the leg injury, dared not move again.

"Wow, who's praising me? You have good eyes!"

"I'm the one Mom praised, the strongest, greatest little bird!"

Ling Yue was amused by its smug tone, eyed its round, plump body suspiciously, finally remembered her purpose, and looked at the two kids: "You guys hooked up the livestream—what do you want to consult?"

"Little fat bird!" the two kids said in unison, then sent the more outgoing, lively Xiao Pangzi Zhou Xiaotao forward: "Streamer, we want you to help ask who the little chubby chirp's owner is, and where its home is."

He added: "If it's too far, we can't go there; should we hand it over to the zoo uncle?"

Ling Yue: "……"

Kids, you're thinking too much; the silver-throated long-tailed tit is a state-level protected species, not yet qualified for the zoo.

She laughed and shook her head: "First, let's zoom the camera in, and I'll ask it."

Ling Yue's eyesight was good; she didn't miss the flash of metal on its foot, and easily recognized it as a leg band, normally used by owners to identify their own pets.

Ling Yue went straight to the point: "Little chubby chirp, who's your owner? Do you know where your home is?"

The little chubby chirp, already used to the phone making sound, tilted its head, its black eyes the size of mung beans showing a hint of suspicion: "Are you calling me?"

Ling Yue: "If not you, then who?"

Suddenly realizing humans could actually understand its words, the little chubby chirp reacted even more than Ling Yue, its fluffy little body instinctively snuggling into Xue Xiaotao's palm.

Mom, I seem to have run into a big monster!

How could a human hear a bird speak? I must be hallucinating!

How scary! Too scary!

It was as if it had opened its chatterbox, chirping nonstop, and even the livestream viewers faintly noticed.

【Wow, what's up with Xiao Fei Jiu? How can it talk so much?】

【Social anxiety sufferer, curious, why can it talk so much?】

Somewhat curiously they asked Ling Yue: '【Host, what exactly did it say?】'

Ling Yue was momentarily speechless.

Listening to it chatter from her to her distant older female cousin at Second Uncle's house, its little mouth was like firecrackers, going 'papa-papa' nonstop.

However, even its muttering was utterly adorable, especially with its soft, milky voice; Ling Yue patiently waited for it to respond before continuing to ask.

Xiao Fei Jiu preened its feathers, already realizing the humans had come to help it; it turned its head and let out a tender chirp: 'I have no master.'

Ling Yue: 'Then what's with the anklet on your feet?'

Xiao Fei Jiu dawdled, leaving only its chubby butt and tail aimed at the camera, looking like it refused to speak.

The livestream viewers exclaimed in surprise one after another; who could have imagined that one day they would be astonished over a little Xiao Fei Jiu?

The two children panicked at once: 'Host sister, what's wrong with the little chubby bird? Is it angry?'

Beside them, Zhou Xiao Zhao pushed up his glasses: 'Based on my deduction, it must be—autistic!'

【Pfft hahaha, suddenly autistic—is that even possible?】

【Host, did you suddenly gain some special ability, making you call the perfectly fine Xiao Fei Jiu autistic?】

Ling Yue ignored those comments, instead looking at Xiao Fei Jiu with a hard-to-describe expression: 'Xiao Fei Jiu, want some meat?'

As soon as she spoke, it was quicker than anyone, even flapping its wings and briefly taking off; its green-bean-like little eyes shone as it stared at the screen, chirping: 'Meat meat meat? Where's the meat?'

The diet of the silver-throated long-tailed tit is varied; though the adorable Xiao Fei Jiu looks cute, it actually eats meat ferociously—it's a truly 'cute bird'!

Ling Yue: '……'

It's confirmed—this is a little foodie!

She hurriedly said: 'As long as you tell me who your master is and where your home is, I'll give you meat.'

She coaxingly asked, but Xiao Fei Jiu looked bewildered: 'Eh, didn't I tell you? I have no master. My home is in a vast forest where my kin live; I haven't settled in the big city—it's too smelly here!'

It said this with a look of disdain, pecking at its smooth feathers.

Ling Yue encountered her first setback; no matter how she asked, Xiao Fei Jiu kept a serious expression, insisting it had no master, and in the end it even grew hungry.

Ling Yue, helpless, could only tell them.

Hearing this, the two children looked baffled: 'How could this be?'

'Host sister, what should we do now?'

Ling Yue gave the listless Xiao Fei Jiu a deep look, then suddenly said: 'Why not go buy some food so Xiao Fei Jiu can eat its fill? Maybe if it's in a better mood it'll speak up.'

The livestream viewers nodded at once, agreeing enthusiastically!

【Yes yes, let Xiao Fei Jiu stay a bit longer; the kids aren't short on this little time!】

【Wuwuwu Xiao Fei Jiu is really too cute; I could open my big mouth and swallow it whole!】

【I could devour a hundred of them! Ow-ow~ Abyssal Mouth. JPG】

【Perverted! ∑(O_O；)】

【??? This is too heavy-taste, right?!】

The viewers chatted endlessly; finally the two children went to the pet market on the neighboring street and finally bought the big bug that Xiao Fei Jiu likes to eat. The formerly honest little chubby bird took a big bite and devoured its lunch!

【Sisters, it's really fragrant, really goes well with rice; I've already devoured a bag of chestnuts!】

【...... Uh, when you say 'goes well with rice,' do you mean the twisted bread-worm, or Xiao Fei Jiu?】

【Save me save me save me QAQ I'm going to die of cuteness in the livestream!】

【Hehehe... Xiao Fei Jiu... hehehe little Xiao Fei Jiu... kiss... little chestnut ball... hehehe...】

Many people, upon entering the livestream, tripped over the bitter tea seeds scattered all over the floor.

Their phones clutched in small hands, the two children sat on the side of the long street of the flower-and-bird market, on slightly higher blue-gray steps; Xue Xiao Tao cupped the little face, eyes wide round: 'Wow, it's so awesome!'

One bug after another, without pause they lifted their heads, their round little necks rolling, and swallowed them straight into their stomachs.

Zhou Xiao Zhao looked serious: 'According to what I've learned, the chubby bird should love eating bread-worms; they're all high-protein and don't prick the mouth, and I've heard they taste like chicken.'

【Chicken, chicken flavor, crunchy?】

【How can those upstairs send voice messages? Suddenly I have a picture in my head—da mie! da mie!】

Even Ling Yue was amused by their childish talk; suddenly she furrowed her brows, and with her eyesight she could easily see what many missed—for example, behind the two children, a middle-aged man slowly approaching.

Ling Yue's heart jolted; inevitably she recalled the various news she'd seen, making it hard not to suspect this person was a child trafficker.

Her expression was unguarded, and the livestream viewers quickly sensed something off, speculating wildly.

【What's wrong with the host? Why that expression?】

【Based on the experience of the old-timers in my livestream, the host must have discovered some special situation!】

【Ah, no way? Nothing's going to happen, right?】

Comments flashed by; in front of the camera, the middle-aged man stepped forward, and the two children, engrossed in chirping, were stopped by him: 'Little ones, hello.'

Xue Xiao Tao and Zhou Xiao Zhao eyed him warily, silent. Being well-behaved kids, their parents' teachings still rang in their ears; when faced with this smiling adult, they had to stay vigilant, extra vigilant!

If it weren't for Xiao Fei Jiu, they would have run off already.

Seeing their demeanor, the man showed no panic, smiling as he introduced himself: 'Hello, I'm the owner of the flower-and-bird market on this street; I have something I'd like to ask you.'

Zhou Xiao Zhao pushed up his glasses, staring at him; despite his young age, his gaze was sharp.

The man's expression unchanged, he lowered his gaze: 'Could I take a look at this little guy? It looks just like the silver-throated long-tailed tit that went missing from my shop before.'

Afraid they wouldn't believe him, the man voluntarily said, "I have a video of it; it's called Ballball, and its leg still has our store's specially made leg ring—this guy really makes people worry, I don't know how it opened the cage and flew out, I'm almost going crazy!"

The two kids stared, their round eyes widening as they looked at him: "Owner of the little chubby bird?"

Such a coincidental thing, even the livestream's viewers couldn't help but exclaim, and they gave a reasonable explanation.

【I think what he said is probably true, the leg ring and video both exist, eh!】

【The place where Little Fatty Chirp was found is a ginkgo tree; the ginkgo tree street and the pet market are just one street apart—case closed, the owner of the flower and bird market is Little Fatty Chirp's owner!】

【Are we parting so soon? Little Fatty Chirp, don't go!】

Ling Yue also felt the truth seemed to be like that; Little Fatty Chirp had been denying it before, perhaps because it knew it had made a mistake, feared the owner's scolding, and didn't dare go home.

As she thought, she couldn't help but glance at the chubby chirp itself, and momentarily froze.

In the food tray beside Little Fatty Chirp, only the bottom of the mealworms remained, twisted shamelessly into a braid; its plump body should be quite tempting to birds, yet Little Fatty Chirp crouched on the blue stone slab, its whole body curled into a small ball.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

"You're not my master! You're not!"

Ling Yue stared, her gaze falling on the screen; to be precise, it was Little Fatty Chirp's exclusive information panel.

【Name: Silver-throated Long-tailed Tit】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: One year】

【Personality: Gentle】

【Skills: Cute, Critical Strike】

【Wish: Save family】

【The system's mechanical voice sounded, completion reward obtainable: Detective's Eye Fragment 2/6】

Accept or reject?

Ling Yue naturally clicked accept; collecting the Detective's Eye Fragment is really not easy, she sighed.

At this moment, the pet store owner already took out his phone; the two kids watched back and forth seven or eight times, finally confirming that the bird in the video was the one they had picked up.

The chubby kid and his friend exchanged glances, and the two kids instantly realized that Little Fatty Chirp belonged to the other party.

The chubby kid said reluctantly, "And the leg ring—what markings does the leg ring on the little fatty bird have?"

The man laughed, "Yes, the silver-throated long-tailed tit's right leg has a silver stainless steel small leg ring, with a tiny 'Lin' character on it—this is my store's name: Forest Trees Flower and Bird Market."

The chubby kid carefully examined the leg ring, everything matched; he sighed sadly and said reluctantly, "All right, so you're the owner of Little Fatty Chirp after all—you must treat it well from now on, and never let it get hurt again!"

As he spoke, he stroked Little Fatty Chirp's head; because he was too sad, he completely didn't notice it kept shrinking into his palm.

Upon hearing this, the man instantly startled, nervously asking, "Where is it injured?"

"The leg!" Zhou Xiao Zhao looked at him, eyes full of blatant accusation, and said in a childish voice, "You're so careless!"

He felt the store owner was not conscientious at all, not responsible for Little Fatty Chirp in the slightest, and a bold idea spun in his mind.

"Xue Xiao Tao."

He leaned over to the chubby kid's ear and spoke; Ling Yue watched the two kids instantly go from dispirited to energetic, Zhou Xiao Zhao and the chubby kid in unison said, "Boss, we want to buy this Little Fatty Chirp—is a hundred yuan enough?"

The owner heard this, startled, then instantly laughed: "Kids, don't look at how cute the chubby chirp is; it's actually hard to raise. At your age, a hundred yuan can buy several small turtles—this you could try."

Xue Xiao Tao got angry: "I just want to raise Little Fatty Chirp; it just ate our stuff, we can raise it!"

The shop owner repeatedly explained: "That's not what I mean; small turtles are also cute, and Little Fatty Chirp is a social animal—if you only raise one, it'll be unhappy."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Little Fatty Chirp: "This one has already been reserved by another uncle; he has many Little Fatty Chirps at home, blue and gray ones, so Little Fatty Chirp won't be lonely there."

After saying all that, appealing to emotion and reason, even the livestream's viewers couldn't help but admit that the other party truly is a seasoned flower and bird market owner, having considered every situation.

Only Ling Yue suddenly spoke softly, her gaze sinking as she stared at him: "Really?"

Immediately, her gaze fell on the man's palm; there, the Little Fatty Chirp he had caught in his hand trembled violently, just wanting to curl itself into warm feathers—it failed, couldn't pretend to be an ostrich, so it chirped loudly at the man while pecking his palm with its beak.

"Cheater cheater big cheater!"