Chapter 4

Returning to the village entrance again, the sky had already grown dim.

Beside the abandoned tavern, Niu Dingtian got off the cart, searched around for a while, but still didn't see that crazy girl.

He put away his thoughts and headed home; at this time, Sister-in-law Chen Jin'er should have already prepared dinner.

Before Niu Dingtian even reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly heard the chickens' wings fluttering nonstop, and the "ge-ge, ge-ge" cries for help, followed immediately by the shouts of "Beat the tiger, beat the tiger!"

Worried about Chen Jin'er's safety, Niu Dingtian hurriedly ran to the gate; after forcefully pushing the door open, he saw the chickens that had been driven to the entrance fluttering again to both sides, fleeing as if flying.

Facing him was a pretty, delicate young girl; upon closer look, it was indeed Sha Gu. Niu Dingtian felt quite surprised.

At this moment, Sha Gu's originally mud‑stained clothes had been changed into a clean set; judging by the color and style, it seemed to be Chen Jin'er's, perhaps altered to be smaller, and because she had just moved vigorously, it now looked rather loose.

The mud on her face was also gone, her previously messy hair now refreshed, though the newly tied tassel bun was rather disheveled.

Looking at her actions again, she still held the fire‑poking stick, now facing the courtyard outside; when she met Niu Dingtian, who had just opened the door, head‑on, her dazed, cute, silly expression instantly froze on her face.

Just like that, the two stared at each other, neither daring to move rashly for a moment.

In just three breaths, after Sha Gu reacted, with a Pa— she threw the fire poker aside, instantly turned and ran toward the house. While running she shouted:

"Tiger's coming! Tiger's coming!"

Seeing Chen Jin'er run out from the house, Sha Gu flung herself into her embrace, her little head hurriedly burying itself deep between those peaks, rubbing left and right, muttering incoherently.

At this moment, Chen Jin'er felt quite uncomfortable, but helplessly she still embraced Sha Gu, gently patting her back, continuously comforting her.

Seeing this scene, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but chuckle, yet he still asked Chen Jin'er softly:

"Sister-in-law, this is"

Perhaps seeing the smile on this brat's mouth, Chen Jin'er pressed her embarrassed expression, her big eyes glared, giving Niu Xiaoxiu a sideways glance. Yet she still comforted Sha Gu while explaining to Niu Dingtian:

"Uncle."

"This girl is the daughter of the tavern owner Qu San at the village head; Qu San disappeared a month ago, leaving this lass wandering the village, mad."

"She usually survives on scraps of food given by the villagers."

"But now, in this freezing winter, with no parents, I don't know how many days she can last; if she runs into a child‑trafficker."

"I was thinking"

Chen Jin'er hesitated, still not finished speaking, when Niu Dingtian quickly took over:

"Sister‑in‑law, why not let her stay at home? Our household is well‑off, and we lack neither a set of bowls and chopsticks nor a few pieces of clothing, so we might as well"

"just treat her as an extra little sister!"

Niu Dingtian did not hesitate and made the decision.

Seeing this lad voice what she had been thinking, Chen Jin'er couldn't help but break into a smile, pursing her lips, suppressing her joy, while embracing the now‑calmed Sha Gu, she modestly greeted Niu Xiaoxiu to come inside and eat.

In fact, Niu Dingtian had this idea since this morning.

After all, she is just a six‑ or seven‑year‑old girl; Niu Dingtian truly could not bear to see her in such a pitiable state before him.

He also knew that the kind Chen Jin'er, moved by the scene, might have been reminded of her own bitter past, arousing sympathy.

As for himself, he was no different— in this world he had always felt like a wanderer far from home, unable to find his way back.

He had never truly felt a sense of belonging; only during the two years of depending on Chen Jin'er did he feel a sense of home.

Now he doesn't mind this comfort growing a little more, adding another member to the household.

This has nothing to do with whether that person has a father named Qu Lingfeng or a master‑uncle named Huang Yaoshi.

Thinking of this, feeling the quiet circulation of his breathing technique inside his body, Niu Dingtian suppressed the surge in his heart: "It won't be many years before we finally meet; then it will surely be splendid."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Guai Bao."

"What is your name!"

"My name is Guai Bao."

At the dinner table, after Chen Jin'er's soothing, Sha Gu is no longer shy around Niu Dingtian.

But no matter how the esteemed Song‑dynasty scholar Niu Xiaoxiu questioned her for a long time, he could not get an answer; helplessly, he could only teach Sha Gu to recognize people:

"I am the older brother,"

"She is the sister‑in‑law."

"Who am I?"

"Tiger!"

"Older brother!"

"Tiger!"

"Older brother!"

"Father!"

After struggling for a long time, Niu Dingtian was exasperated, and could only temporarily give up.

Chen Jin'er beside him, seeing this, laughed so hard she shook.

(End of chapter)