Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 25 - 24: We Have a Strategy

After taking on an additional task, the original plan had to change, "Xuran, you stay with your mom and the others to gather more earthworms."

To raise earthworms, you obviously need more of them, and with winter approaching, we need to breed more before the snow arrives.

"Also, you need to chop more firewood today." Earthworms won’t freeze to death in winter; they’ll likely hibernate, but since they’re needed to feed the chickens, we must ensure they stay active for winter meals.

To keep the earthworms from hibernating, we have to keep the fire burning.

Zhao Gang calculated that the firewood budget for winter needs to be increased, and it’s best to have the eldest son do this job.

It’s not that Zhao Gang is biased; it’s because Gong Ruwen didn’t join them on the hunting trip, which he had been promised earlier.

Taking Gong Ruwen hunting means Zhao Guangran would also fuss to go. If he’s not brought along, he would definitely throw a tantrum. So, Zhao Xuran has to stay back to manage things.

Even though Zhao Xuran was somewhat prepared not to go hunting, he still held onto a bit of hope. But after hearing Zhao Gang’s plan, despite his slight dissatisfaction, he could only hold it in.

Gong Ruini didn’t expect Zhao Xuran to end up staying back to chop wood, which made her quite happy. Even though Zhao Xuran had never shown much interest in hunting, the way he had been preparing his basket since yesterday suggested he was quite eager.

Without Zhao Xuran, that little fox, following them to the mountains, Gong Ruini felt assured that even if she slipped up, the two adults busy with hunting wouldn’t notice. As for Gong Ruwen, her brother would just think her antics were normal, while Zhao Guangran wouldn’t pay attention. To him, going to the mountain was just play.

Without anyone dangerous constantly watching, Gong Ruini was looking forward to this hunting trip more than ever.

Gong Ruini kept praying, hoping to find ginseng. Not asking for much, a four or five-leaf ginseng would be just fine.

"Okay, I get it. Ni Zi, you shouldn’t go hunting either," Zhao Xuran glanced at Gong Ruini. Even though this girl was lowering her head while eating, her shaking shoulders gave her away.

Looks like this girl really doesn’t want me to go hunting. In that case, let the little girl stay behind.

No way, Gong Ruini was furious. She abruptly raised her head and glared at Zhao Xuran in anger. This guy is beyond unreasonable. Uncle Zhao decided not to let him hunt, so why blame it on her?

Gong Ruini considered copying Zhao Guangran by rolling on the ground and demanding to be allowed to hunt. But such actions were childish, and besides, the kang was crowded with people, leaving no room for rolling.

"Ni Zi, you shouldn’t go." Cai Meina never wanted Gong Ruini to tag along for such a bloody affair as hunting. Is it good for Ni Zi to see that?

Moreover, who knew how far Zhao Gang and the others would go? Cai Meina wasn’t sure if Ni Zi’s stamina would hold up. What if she gets exhausted?

Cai Meina had not opposed earlier since all the kids wanted to go. If she forcefully barred Ni Zi, her daughter would be displeased. But now, with Zhao Xuran also not going, Ni Zi could stay.

No way, even Mom’s against it? Gong Ruini pitifully bit her lip and looked towards Gong Tao.

At this point, the only one who could save her was the head of the household, in name only.

As for little Gong Ruwen, who was sending mental support, Gong Ruini knew it was pointless. Against the strong leadership, they were just two ineffective kids.

Gong Tao, seeing his daughter’s pitiful face, couldn’t help but want to plead for her. If she had been to the mountain before, it would be different, but she hadn’t, so he understood her eagerness.

"It’s fine. If Ni Zi gets tired, I can carry her," Gong Tao understood why Cai Meina opposed. She was concerned about Ni Zi’s stamina not being enough to come back down, but with him there, he could carry Ni Zi back.

What a great dad, Gong Ruini’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Gong Tao. She really wanted to leap onto him and give him a big hug. Her dad was so cool.

What a man to drag things back, Cai Meina glared without enthusiasm at her husband, who, unsurprisingly, responded with an embarrassed smile, "Ni Zi, be good, don’t make a fuss."

Here it comes, here it comes, Gong Ruini felt so wronged. Why did her fighting for her rights always make the adults think she was misbehaving, always causing trouble?

Gong Ruini pouted silently. She really wouldn’t make a fuss. She’d quietly follow Gong Tao.

"Carrying prey will be tiring for Dad, Ni Zi, do you want to see Dad tired?" Cai Meina spoke gently, analyzing the situation with Gong Ruini.

If it were Gong Ruwen, Cai Meina wouldn’t bother to explain so carefully. A sharp "no" would suffice. But her daughter was different, requiring delicate handling.

More importantly, if Gong Ruwen started crying, he would be completely unreasonable. Gong Ruini was different; if it made sense, she would eventually agree, even if reluctantly.

As Cai Meina reasoned with Gong Ruini, the latter felt an urge to be unreasonable, to play the complete child. But Cai Meina made sense. Deep in the woods, if Gong Ruini felt exhausted, Gong Tao would have to carry not only the prey but also her, making it extra tiring.

Plus, Gong Ruwen and Zhao Guangran were kids too. Even as boys, they would tire. What if they needed carrying too?

Alright, Gong Ruini admitted she was convinced by Cai Meina, "Fine, I’ll go next time."

Cai Meina was right. Would opportunities for her to go up the mountain really be lacking in the future? Plenty of years ahead. Rather than making a fool of herself by needing to be carried down, she’d better build up her strength properly.

Once she’s physically fit, with good stamina, no matter how less Cai Meina wants her to go up the mountain, the objections won’t be as strong.

"Then the brothers shouldn’t go either," Gong Ruini retaliated, huffing. Don’t think she didn’t notice Zhao Guangran’s smirk. Let’s see you laugh when it backfires.

Laugh so cockily, and if you can’t witness retaliation, you’d really think I’m easy to bully.

As for her brother, Gong Ruini could only say sorry.

No way, Zhao Guangran was stunned. Ni Zi was so evil. Just because she couldn’t go to the mountains, she wanted to stop them too. Humph.

Zhao Guangran didn’t worry. As long as Gong Ruwen went up, he’d have a chance to follow. No one could thwart his determination to climb the mountain.

What worried Zhao Guangran was his own dad’s contemplative expression regarding the matter, "I won’t be a burden. I’ll climb alone, descend alone, and won’t need an adult to carry me."

I’m a little manly man, not like someone who needs to be carried down in disgrace.

"Dad, I can do it, I can help," Zhao Guangran loudly declared his resolve.

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