Chapter 73: Xiao Xiaohui, the Cow Herder

They finished breakfast around 7.30 am. Xiao Xiaohui should still be at the house. Xiao Xiaohui was 13 years old. When he was seven, Xiao Lingyu’s fourth uncle tried to send him to school. Xiaohui was extremely resistant and refused to go. He cried his heart out.

Grandma Xiao pitied the kid. She hugged her third grandson and chided Fourth Uncle, “The child is still young. If he doesn’t want to go, then delay it for one year. It won’t affect anything.” Xiao Xiaohui had his grandmother’s support, and he managed to escape school for two years.

“Xiao Xiaohui!” Xiao Lingyu shouted before she entered the courtyard.

Xiao Xiaohui ran out and shouted happily when he saw Xiao Lingyu, “Eldest cousin!” Xiao Xiaohui snatched the plate Xiao Lingyu was holding. He stuffed the pancake into his mouth. “Elas cousin beat me the west.” Eldest cousin treats me the best. His words were unclear due to his stuffed mouth.

Xiao Lingyu patted his head and said, “Come on, you need to bring some to your parents. I’ll go feed the cows. Also, I have something to discuss with your parents later.”

“Okay.” Xiao Xiaohui nodded.

Then, he carried a plate of egg pancakes into his house.

Xiao Lingyu moved to her fourth uncle’s cow pens. Once the calf saw Xiao Lingyu, he was excited and poked his head out. Xiao Lingyu touched his head and smiled, “You are really intelligent. Come drink this!” Xiao Lingyu looked around, and then spring water flowed into the water bucket.

The calf was immediately attracted by it. He hesitated before running back to his mother. He mooed, and his mother mooed back.

Unable to withstand the calf’s mooing, the mother cow shuffled over and lowered her head to drink. The calf spun around his mother happily.

When the mother cow was done, the calf stuck his head into the bucket to drink the water.

Xiao Lingyu was impressed and charmed by the intelligent calf. She touched his head, “You’ll have to stay at Fourth Uncle’s place for another two days. When mom and dad finish our cow pen, I’ll fetch you home.” The calf mooed as if agreeing.

Xiao Lingyu turned to her fourth uncle’s house. When she saw her fourth uncle’s family of three fight over the pancakes, she was quite speechless. ‘Are the pancakes that delicious that they made fourth uncle and fourth aunt fight over it with their kid?’

Xiao Lingyu had no idea this was the best food her fourth uncle’s family ever had.

So naturally, they couldn’t have Xiao Xiaohui eat everything. Liu Chunhua grabbed a piece of pancake and asked Xiao Lingyu, “Lingyu, your pancakes are delicious. I’ve never eaten something so delicious. When Xiaohui told me about it yesterday, I couldn’t believe it. But now I know it’s true.” She took another big bite and chewed. “Who made them?”

Xiao Lingyu said, “I did!”

As soon as Xiao Lingyu said that, Xiao Xiaohui looked up. “No wonder it’s not as delicious as yesterday! Eldest cousin’s cooking is not as good as second aunt.”

Xiao Lingyu, “…” She was offended, but she had to admit the pancakes were more delicious yesterday. Yesterday’s pancakes had more spring water. Today, she only used a bit.

“You brat, what are you talking about?” Xiao Mingyang smacked Xiao Xiaohui on the back of his head. “You should be thankful!”

“But I’m only telling the truth!” Xiao Xiaohui grumbled at his father.

“Then, you shouldn’t eat them. Your dad will finish everything.” Xiao Mingyang then snatched the pancakes from his son.

Xiao Lingyu, “…”

“No, I’m not full yet.” Xiao Xiaohui protested. “Furthermore, I plan to bring them to school. I’ll eat them during breaks.”

Xiao Xiaohui was in his puberty. Even if he had a full breakfast, his stomach would be grumbling when it came noon.

Xiao Xiaohui held his pancakes tightly as if afraid that his father would really steal from him. He took another big bite and said, “Dad, I’m a child. You can’t steal stuff from me!”

Xiao Mingyang burst out laughing.

Then, he thought of something and turned to Xiao Lingyu, “Lingyu, Xiaohui said you have something to discuss with us. What is it?”

Xiao Lingyu said, “Fourth uncle, I have bought two cattle. I want Xiao Hui to herd them for me. I’ll pay Xiaohui 2 RMB per day. Xiaohui, will you do it?”

“Of course!” When he heard he’d be paid, Xiao Xiaohui volunteered immediately. After all, he had nothing to do in the afternoon after returning from school. He could help his cousin and earn money. Why not?

Liu Chunhua said, “Lingyu, you don’t need to pay Xiaohui. He’s free in the afternoon anyway. He goes around causing trouble. He’ll help you for free!”

“No! I’m getting paid!” Xiao Xiaohui complained loudly, “If you don’t pay me… I… I will not help!”

Although, to be honest, Xiao Xiaohui would help either way. At Taoyuan Village, he admired his eldest cousin the most. She went to a good university and worked in a big city.

He would do anything his first cousin asked him to. But of course, if he were paid, it would be better. He had so many things he wanted to buy, but now he could only stare at them.

Liu Chunhua’s face darkened. She pinched her son’s ear. “You brat, you’re only going to herd some cattle, and you dare to demand money? You went over to your second aunt’s place to get food and drinks all the time. Do you pay for them?”

Xiao Xiaohui was ashamed, and he pouted, “Fine, then don’t pay me.” His mother let go of his ears.

Xiao Lingyu had to chuckle, looking at Xiao Xiaohui’s puffy cheeks. She shook his head. “Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, I need Xiaohui to herd the cows for me for a long time. It’s not for a day or not. I feel bad having Xiaohui do it for free. I’m sure he’s not going to feel satisfied working for free either. Right, Xiaohui?”

Xiao Mingyang said sternly, “He wouldn’t dare!” He thought about it and said, “How about this, Lingyu? If you want to pay him, don’t give him too much money. Give him 50 cents per day. That is enough for him to buy candy.”

Xiao Lingyu was speechless. She was sure Xiao Xiaohui wanted to buy stuff more expensive than candies.

For Xiao Xiaohui, the amount of money didn’t really matter as long as he had money. Fifty cents was still money. He could save up and buy the things he wanted. He definitely wouldn’t buy candies. They would only stick to his teeth.

Xiao Lingyu shook her head and said, “50 cents is too little. How about I give him 1 RMB? Xiaohui, I’ll pay you every ten days, is that okay?”

“Yes!” Xiao Xiaohui immediately nodded. 1 RMB a day, 10 RMB in ten days. He could buy a big toy with 10 RMB already.

His parents sighed and didn’t say anything else.

Xiao Lingyu looked at the time and told her fourth uncle and aunt. “Fourth Uncle and Aunt, I’m going to the county town. Do you need me to buy anything for you?”

“It’s alright. Thank you!” Her aunt and uncle shook their heads.

Xiao Xiaohui’s eyes lit up, and he said, “Eldest cousin, can you buy me a Transformer toy? You can deduct the money from my future salary!”

Xiao Lingyu, “…” Where did the boy learn something like that?

Xiao Mingyang and Liu Chunhua, “…” They wanted to cover their faces. Their son was not good at studying, but he was very shrewd about everything else.

Xiao Lingyu nodded. “Okay!”

Xiao Xiaohui immediately jumped up in joy. “Thank you, eldest cousin!”

Xiao Mingyang smacked his son’s head and said, “So you have to work hard herding the cows for your eldest cousin in the future, understand?”

Xiao Xiaohui patted his head and said, “Dad, I know…”

Xiao Lingyu said goodbye to her fourth uncle’s family.

Xiao Xiaohui went to the school in the opposite village, and Xiao Lingyu took the bus to town.

She didn’t stop at Xing An Town and took another bus to Xing Yin County City.

When she arrived, Xiao Lingyu walked towards the wholesale market.