Chapter 20. Field Rabbit

Chapter 20 - 20. Field RabbitIn the future, Hua Xiaocao's gossip will still rely on these aunts and aunties, so Hua Jin felt it necessary to show some goodwill. Sёarch* The NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... Hua Jin looked towards the entrance of the rabbit hole. With so many rabbit holes, Hua Jin couldn't help but suspect they had found the rabbits' main nest. If they could really try, they might be able to catch them. Luckily, there were plenty of people here. But before that, it's better to check if there are any other rabbit holes; otherwise, it's all in vain. So Hua Jin called for her brother and Sister Xiao Mao and a few girls to start searching for rabbit holes around the area like a carpet search. To their surprise, they actually found several more, two of which were slightly down the slope. With such a big movement from Hua Jin and the others, it's impossible to hide it from people. Liu couldn't hold back anymore. "Hua Jin... do you have a good idea?" "Aunt Liu, sharp eyes you have. I do have an idea, but it requires everyone's cooperation. However, I can't guarantee we'll catch them." "You really do?" Liu initially just asked without much hope, but didn't expect the little girl to really have an idea, and immediately got restless. This one sentence was like stirring a hornet's nest, and the aunts and aunties quickly gathered around with hopeful eyes looking at Hua Jin, though their mouths weren't idle either. "Jin'er, hurry up and tell us." "Yes, yes, yes..." Obviously, everyone couldn't wait any longer. In the past, they only thought Hua Jin was cute and naive, but after the recent incident with Hua Xiaocao, it suddenly dawned on everyone that this naive little girl was actually so clever and smart. Although Hua Xiaocao never admitted it in the end, everyone actually knew in their hearts that Hua Xiaocao was indeed highly suspicious. "Don't listen to kids talking nonsense, what kind of idea could she have?" The old woman Hua modestly said. Even though she said so, the proud expression in her eyes as she looked at her granddaughter was all too obvious. "Aunt, stop being so modest. Among all the girls in our village, who can compare to Hua Jin in cleverness?" "Exactly... that's because the village chief and you taught her well!" "..." Everyone threw compliments like they didn't cost a dime, even though they knew it was all because of the old man, but hearing praises about her granddaughter, the old woman couldn't help but smile uncontrollably. Hua Jin: "..." "Ahem, ahem..." As the main subject of the praise, Hua Jin felt very embarrassed, especially because everyone was looking at her as if she were some rare creature. She quickly coughed a few times to draw everyone's attention, otherwise, it seemed like it would never end. "Um, aunts and aunties, don't get too excited. I just have an idea, so it's better not to get too hopeful." The ugly words had to be said upfront. "Oh, it's okay, Jin'er, just tell us. If we can catch them, great, if not, it's no big deal." Hearing everyone say that, Hua Jin felt relieved. "The method isn't really difficult. Books say 'a sly rabbit has three burrows,' meaning rabbits are very cunning, but as long as we..." At first, everyone didn't hold much hope, but as Hua Jin spoke, their eyes brightened, and they moved as per Hua Jin's instructions, including Qi Shi. In a short while, everyone found quite a bit of dry wood. Then, the adults and older kids used baskets in their hands to block several wild rabbit holes, while others lit damp wood they found at the remaining rabbit hole entrances. As the wood burned, thick smoke drifted into the holes with the wind. In everyone's tense anticipation, there was soon movement at one of the hole entrances. A fat gray rabbit, choked by the smoke, suddenly darted out from the opposite side of the hole, bumping hard into the basket blocking the entrance, almost making Liu let go. Fortunately, with quick reflexes, she saw the rabbit and immediately reached in and grabbed the rabbit's ear tightly. Her other hand quickly followed and caught another one, but two still got away. But even so, Liu was thrilled. At the same time, Meng Daya, Aunt Zhang, and the Hua Meng family also had some activity by their holes. However, not everyone was as quick as Liu, as Meng Daya and the Hua Meng family each only caught one, while Aunt Zhang, due to being too flustered, let all the rabbits at her guarded hole run away. Of course, where there's luck, there's also bad luck. More holes were empty, seeing neither a rabbit nor a single rabbit hair. Seeing others catch rabbits, besides envy, they could only lament their bad luck, reluctantly watching on. Hua Jin was quite lucky on her side. She and her mother guarded a hole together, and it wasn't long before there was movement; soon enough, a rustling sound came from inside. Mother and daughter exchanged a knowing look, then, as if facing a great enemy, they kept a close eye on the hole, each hoping to catch the rabbit the moment it emerged. The mother and daughter cooperated smoothly. As the first rabbit burst out, bumping into the basket and getting grabbed by Qi Shi, the second one soon followed and was grasped by Hua Jin by its long ears. Then followed the third, fourth, fifth, and even several smaller ones. With each rabbit caught, the mother and daughter handed it to the old woman Hua nearby to tie up the legs. Soon, the ground was covered with several fluttering rabbits. Clearly, they swept the entire rabbit family out of their hole, a hugely successful haul that made others envious. In just the time for a cup of tea, there was no more activity in the rabbit hole. Besides a few small rabbits, the ones everyone caught were all gathered together. Though some were empty-handed, combined, there were indeed more than a dozen in total! This was the rabbits' main nest, confirmed. Among them, Qi Shi and Hua Jin caught the most. When it comes to luck, there's nothing to be said, only envy. People like Zhang and Sun Tu's family, Hua Daya and others were most envious because they caught nothing. Some were purely slow to react, and some had guarded holes that had none at all. No one was happier than Liu, who captured two big fat rabbits. Two rabbits could sell for quite a lot of copper coins, just thinking about it stirred warmth in her heart. Some were happy, some disappointed, but Hua Jin saw it all. She looked towards her grandma, who immediately understood her granddaughter's intent and nodded. Seeing her no-hesitation grandma indulging her, Hua Jin felt a deep warmth in her heart! The original family members were really too kind to the little girl. "Zhao He's wife, Liu... your luck is really good!" Hua Daya was full of envy, but it was clear she didn't mean anything else. Sun Tu's family was different. Like Zhang, they were unlucky, not even seeing a rabbit hair and always wearing a sullen face with pouted lips, very unhappy. "No, no, just a coincidence, a coincidence." No one was foolish; they knew better than to add salt to others' wounds at this time. "Humph," Sun Tu's family couldn't help but let out a sound. Seeing Sun Tu's family, old woman Hua stepped out and smiled at everyone: "Let me say a few words." "Today, because of things with my granddaughter, everyone's precious time was delayed. As the grandmother, I thank everyone for staying with the children to mess around. These rabbits were caught together, and since we all contributed, no one should work for nothing. So if you don't mind, Jin'er and her mother's catch will be divided among those who didn't get anything, half a rabbit per household, so you can have a treat at home too." Sun Tu's family and Zhang, who had no success, couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.