The white-feathered chickens were simply too voracious—they couldn’t wait until they were fully grown and had to start selling them once they were big enough. Even then, they were sold at fair prices to the families in the residential compound, who happily bought them as if they’d scored a bargain. Yang Yufen and Aunt Wang breathed a sigh of relief once all the chickens were sold.
"Great! Once we get to the orchard, we can finally start our money-making plan! My grandma said she’s saved up so many feathers for us—we can pick whatever we want."
Yaoyao spoke excitedly. The group of kids had been fixated on this idea for a while. Earlier, the adults had put a stop to it because of school, but the plan had dangled like a big carrot in front of them, keeping them eager and restless.
"You’re going to the orchard during the break? What’s this money-making plan? Can I hear about it?"
Jiabao was curious.
"Of course! We’re planning to make colorful shuttlecocks to sell."
Yaoyao had a good impression of Jiabao—she was pretty, pleasant to look at, and spoke in a soft, gentle tone, so Yaoyao didn’t hesitate to share.
"Colorful shuttlecocks? Made with pheasant feathers?"
The first thing Jiabao thought of was the beautifully colored fan made of chicken feathers that her father collected.
"No."
Yaoyao shook her head. Though she liked Jiabao, she couldn’t reveal the secret behind their money-making plan.
"I want to join too! My dad runs a newsstand. We could sell the shuttlecocks there—lots of people come by every day to buy newspapers."
Qian Jiabao cleverly leveraged her advantage.
Yaoyao looked to Hu Zhenghao for guidance. Among them, he was the oldest and had always been the leader of their group.
"That’s fine, but… you probably can’t come with us to the orchard, right?"
"On my own, definitely not. But if Qingqing agrees, Aunt Lianxiang will agree, and if Aunt Lianxiang agrees, my dad will too."
Qian Jiabao’s gaze immediately landed on Qingqing, and she practically clung to her.
"Qingqing, my dearest little sister, I’ve never had so many friends to play with before. If it weren’t for my dad marrying Aunt Lianxiang, I wouldn’t even have a sister. You’re the best little sister I could ever have—even better than a real one!"
Her dramatic shift in tone stunned the other kids.
Only Qingqing remained unfazed, acting as a human pillar while Qian Jiabao shook her back and forth.
"Good sister, your big sister here has had a hard life. Can’t you grant me this one tiny, tiny wish?"
Qian Jiabao continued, completely ignoring everyone’s shock, focused solely on swaying Qingqing.
"Qingqing is amazing—she’s being shaken like that and still standing firm as a mountain."
Li Wu couldn’t help but comment.
"You actually know the phrase ‘firm as a mountain’?"
Hu Zhenghao teased him.
"Qingqing, why don’t you go with Jiabao?"
Gui Xiang, her grandmother, had been listening and finally spoke up.
"Grandma…"
Qingqing hesitated. She wanted to help her grandmother.
"Grandma knows you want to help, but I really can manage. I’ve even hired someone—your uncle recommended them—to help with washing and tidying up. You’re still young, you should spend more time playing with your friends."
Gui Xiang’s heart ached at her granddaughter’s thoughtfulness.
"Listen to your grandma. It’s rare to have a break. I’ll take you all there myself. The orchard is huge—play to your heart’s content, and I’ll bring you back when you’re done. It’s not far anyway."
Yang Yufen chimed in. One more kid wouldn’t make a difference—they already had a whole group.
"Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Aunt Yang."
Deep down, Qingqing did want to go—she just felt guilty about leaving her grandmother.
"Yay! This is the best!"
Qian Jiabao was overjoyed.
True to her word, once Qingqing agreed, Lianxiang and Boss Qian gave their permission. Worried the kids might not adjust, they even packed bedding, sheets, and pillows.
Boss Qian arranged a ride and personally delivered the group to the orchard. Stunned by its vast scale, he remarked,
"Lianxiang, your aunt’s good friend is really something."
"Aunt Yang is indeed impressive."
Lianxiang didn’t dwell on it. She’d woken up two hours early that morning just to send the kids off.
Her mind was now fully on her own work.
"Lianxiang, I’ll go with you to set up the stall today. My cousin can watch the newsstand for the day."
Boss Qian offered, and after a brief hesitation, Lianxiang nodded.
Yang Yufen and the others helped the kids settle in—boys in one room, girls in another.
"Wow, this place is amazing!"
Qian Jiabao was thrilled. Being with friends, away from her father’s watchful eye, felt incredibly freeing.
Qingqing loved it too—the breeze blowing through the open window, the spacious desk.
Before arriving, Yang Yufen and Aunt Wang had briefed the kids about the workers at the orchard.
The children knew these grandfathers and uncles were extraordinary people—their physical scars were like medals of honor. At first sight, they were indeed startled, but not frightened, and there wasn’t a trace of judgment in their eyes.
Especially when met with the warmth and kindness in the elders’ gazes, it felt as familiar as their own family.
The bond between generations is a special one—even if they weren’t related by blood, the affection was just as strong.
As the children eagerly called out “Grandpa!” and “Uncle!”, the men’s hearts swelled with warmth, responding with equal enthusiasm.
“With these kids here, our orchard’s livelier than ever! Old Zhou, you better whip up your best dishes to treat them today.”
“Absolutely!”
Old Zhou grinned as he headed to the garden to pick fresh vegetables.
“Old Yang, where you off to?”
Old Zhou called out to his one-eyed old friend.
“Gonna fetch the kids some watermelons.”
Old Yang pushed a cart, limping slightly as he made his way to the melon field. He handpicked each one, twisting them off the vine only when he was sure they were perfectly ripe.
“It’s the goose!”
Qian Jiabao and the others had just finished settling in downstairs when a goose came charging in, flapping wildly. They all jumped in alarm.
Qingqing instinctively shielded Qian Jiabao, Yaoyao protected Miaomiao, Hu Zhenghao pulled Little Baby and Zhengran behind him—while Li Wu dashed straight toward the bird.
“Hah!”
Li Wu struck a pose, trying to scare the goose off. But the goose had no respect for martial arts—mid-charge, it flapped its wings and leaped into the air.
“Aaaah! My hand!”
Li Wu yelped, swatting at the goose before turning to flee. The goose, of course, wasn’t about to let him go. It stretched out its long neck—
“OW OW OW! My butt! My butt!”
Professor Wen, Yang Yufen, and Aunt Wang hurried out of the house at the commotion, leaning over the second-floor railing to look down.
Below, the goose had clamped its beak onto Li Wu’s backside. Li Wu, now desperate, grabbed the goose by the neck, flipped around, and ended up riding it like a horse.
“Aaaah! Take that! And that! How’s that for payback?!”
