Chapter 9, An Alternative Interpretation of the House

"Here, this one is delicious." Ding Ya handed over a piece of dog meat

The aroma is simply irresistible!

Oh! Brother Mouse! Lan Xiwen, carrying Lan Xishu, exchanged glances and gestured with his hands, avoiding the topic of running away from home. He thought to himself that for the time being, he would let it slide. Lan Xiwen was most afraid that once the initial warmth of their meeting faded, his brother would latch onto this topic: "Brother Mouse, you are amazing! Is this the rabbit you caught? And what is this— a goat? No, it must be a deer! No, it's dog meat, right? Hehe! Brother Mouse! It smells so good! I'm really hungry, I've been hungry for a long time. Brother Mouse, I want to eat!" This is the rabbit you caught? And what is this— a goat? No, it must be a deer! No, it's dog meat, right? Hehe! Brother Mouse! It smells so good! I'm really hungry, I've been hungry for a long time. Brother Mouse, I want to eat!

Disgusting! Pay attention! Jing Maoan glanced over at Lan Xiwen, pointing at Hu Dage's shiny robe sleeve: "Are you still going to let people eat?"

"We still have some unfinished business!" Hu Dageda has yet to respond, while Jing Mao'an, quick-tongued, immediately boasts: "Now that's a job well done! Mouse! You haven't seen it, tsk tsk!" Jing Mao'an pushes Hu Dageda aside, glancing at Lan Xiwen, who is grinning playfully in front of Lan Xishu, and whispers into Mouse's ear: "I say, you’ve known her for a long time! What’s the situation? I say! Mouse! Mouse!"

"What are you all doing! You've messed it up!" Lan Xishu frowned and glared, raising his chin towards the rat. The group scattered like a flock of birds and beasts, all rushing towards the rat with the *picture* book. Two broken bowls, a spoon split in half, and a few chopsticks were shaken out from a tattered bag. Jing Mao'an was vigorously rubbing the snow, and the few chopsticks in his hand were still that dark, murky color.

This laughter resonates in everyone's heart, inexplicably bringing joy to all

Jing Mao'an poked the rat under its ribs; the rat was not afraid of being tickled and squeezed Jing Mao'an's hand with its elbow: "Lan Xishu! Lan Xiwen! The formal name! Since childhood, Lan Xiwen has followed the Third Young Master dressed as a boy to run around mischievously, so I started calling her the Fourth Young Master, and it just became a habit. The house is the Fourth Young Master's nickname. However, " the rat peeked around Ding Ya's shoulder to glance at Lan Xishu, who was holding Lan Xiwen's small hand to examine the two frostbite spots, the tenderness in that moment was indescribable. The rat pretended to be mysterious and lowered its voice: "The Third Young Master has been domineering since childhood; only the Third Young Master is allowed to call her by that nickname, and childhood playmates are not permitted to call her that."

Wash your hands! Lan Xiwen playfully rubbed against Lan Xishu's arm, giggling to be cute, then squatted down, gently rubbing her face and hands with the clean snow, meticulously changing from one handful of snow to another.

They have all become like sawed-off gourds! The Rat really isn't used to the sudden change in the gang's demeanor: "Hu Dage, did you succeed?" This is what the Rat is most concerned about. He signaled Hu Dage to add more salt, while Jing Mao'an, feeling unsatisfied, went up and grabbed a handful to throw onto the roasted wild rabbit that the Rat was occasionally flipping.

I was just wondering, why haven't I seen Brother Mouse?" Lan Xiwen laughed, tugging at Mouse's blue robe, pulling at Mouse's ears, and patting the ash off Mouse's shoulders, filled with curiosity as she looked him up and down: "Brother Mouse—you're darker! You've gotten a bit—stronger!"

The group of them also began to act refined, pretentiously rubbing snow on their hands and faces, as if they had always been this clean and cultured.

There is also this! '' Jing Mao'an also handed over a piece.

Ding Ya also came up to help, and Hu Dageda leaned in to listen.

Lan Xiwen took a dagger from Lan Xishu, leaned in to cut off a small piece, and without caring about the discomfort from the smoke and heat, put it in her mouth, also sucking her fingers clean: "Delicious, really delicious!"

Indeed, indeed! The Four Young Masters! In an instant, the little mouse straightened its back, displaying a bit of a manly stature, holding itself up, almost tipping over like a top.

Lan Xi kicked the snow with his foot, burying a pile of animal skins and furs beneath it

Amidst the picturesque scenery, this meal of game is the most fragrant

"Just looking at it makes me full?" Lan Xishu was picking at the roasted wild dog ribs, casting a sidelong glance at his brothers: "Stop pretending, hurry up!"

The book rat was fiddling with the five rabbits that were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and nodded towards Hu Dage, indicating him to turn over the wild dog over there, as the large wild dog still appeared to be undercooked.

The Four Young Masters? Jing Mao'an and Ding Yamen looked at each other. This unexpected arrival, Cheng Yaojin, along with Fangzi, Lan Xiwen, and the Four Young Masters, will there be any issues regarding gender? Even a blind person can see it!

What else? Hu Dage waved his right hand, fanning the smoke, while his left arm lifted to wipe his nose, his eyes watering from the smoke as he looked at the rat

Everyone eat, everyone eat! Enjoying the treatment of being surrounded by stars, Lan Xiwen felt too shy to take a bite

Hehe! The rat chuckled, finding it rare to see Jing Mao'an so anxious and fidgeting while inquiring about matters. However, like Hu Dageda, the rat was straightforward and did not keep anyone in suspense: "Mao'an! You must know that we have known the Third Young Master since childhood, and the Fourth Young Master is his sister. The Fourth Young Master is truly exceptional; among all the girls I know, none can compare to her! The Third Young Master has only this one sister, and he cherishes her dearly."

The rat chuckled foolishly: "How did you end up here? Are you alone? My goodness!" The rat's expression was a mix of surprise and a hint of fussiness.

"Brother Mouse! Your culinary skills have improved!" Lan Xishu scooped half a bowl of water from the broken pot with a chipped bowl. Lan Xiwen sipped it slowly, feeling the spiciness tingle on his tongue, while glancing sideways at the delicious dishes on the rack: "It is truly a blessing to be able to enjoy the delicious food made by Brother Mouse!"

"Brother Mouse!" Lan Xiwen called out loudly, gracefully leaping off the horse, clumsily holding up his tattered robe while laughing heartily as he ran towards Mouse.

The rat could no longer bear it, thinking about how much hardship and hunger Lan Xiwen must have endured along the way. His eyes turned red, and he hurriedly pulled down a rabbit leg for Lan Xiwen, saying: "Fourth Young Master! Eat quickly! If you want to eat, Brother Rat will make it for you every day!"

Sister! Do you know what it means to grow up together? Didn't you only meet San Shao when you were twelve? Hmph! Now it’s suddenly about growing up together, where is that reasoning coming from? Hmph!" Jing Maoan shot a glance at Haozi, feeling that the logic was a bit confused. He scratched the back of his head, pulled his cloak hood up and then down again, and leaned closer to Haozi: "I know she’s a sister! My eyes aren’t blind! And what else! What else!"

In harmony with the rhythm of Lan Xiwens, the group washed their faces and became reserved, all maintaining the same smile as they watched the rat fiddling alone

The rat had a hard time learning to play a tune, only to be immediately exposed by Jing Maoan. Without offering any defense or showing anger, it chuckled softly, while the cat bent down to sniff the rabbit meat in its hand, inhaling deeply with great satisfaction.

Ah, oh! Hu Dage is smiling sheepishly with a bashful grin

Ding Ya pulled over several feed bags and placed them one by one under the horse. Unlike humans and animals, the horse was not affected by Lan Xiwen; upon seeing the food, it let out a snort of excitement and plunged its head into the feed bags

Lan Xi Shu gently patted Lan Xi Wen's head, remaining silent, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart

The rat pursed its thin lips, nodded slightly, and with a vigilant gaze, warned the others not to offend the taboos of Lan Xi Shu.

The deliberately clumsy little figure is exceedingly adorable, with a bundle of long, dark hair flying high. It flashes this way by the tree, then that way by the tree, and a slightly mischievous yet innocent laughter echoes through the locust tree gully

Lan Xiwen admired the ancient artifacts, circling around like a mouse.

Lan Xi pulled her away from the downwind area.

We can eat soon; look at how hungry our four young masters are, they've lost quite a bit of weight. Oh dear! The rat couldn't withstand such a gaze, hurriedly turning the iron rod over the fire, while also kicking the branches inside. Below, the wet firewood crackled loudly, and above, the meat sizzled, releasing a fragrant aroma.

Though usually taciturn and serious, at this moment he wore a rare smile

Jing Mao'an and Hu Dage both cast a glance at the clean and bright-eyed Lan Xiwen, feeling an inexplicable joy and an unaccountable nervousness. They wanted to continue watching but dared not do so. Standing with their own postures, Jing Mao'an and Hu Dage stood beside Lan Xiwen practicing their smiles

Lan Xiwen chirped with a pair of pitiful little eyes, looking at the mouse with a hint of playful affection

He was never white! Lan Xishu dismounted with a smile, and Hu Dage took the reins.

Everyone, come and eat! The mouse is inviting everyone.